CHARLESTON S.C.: Bucs dominate on both ends of the floor in 114-81 defeat of VMI on Dec. 3 in Charleston.

The Buccaneers shot an impressive 60.9% from the field while holding VMI to 50%. CSU went 13-22 from deep (59%) and held the Keydets to just 5-24 (20.8%) including 0-10 in the second half. Charleston Southern outscored VMI in the paint (56-36), points off of turnovers (21-18), fast break points (20-4) and bench production (37-29). CSU outrebounded VMI 38-30 and had 20 assists in comparison to 12 by the Keydets. The Bucs were led by Nimleys 24 points (8-12) and Muo's eight boards. Harper dropped in 20 for CSU to go along with six assists and four rebounds. Stan Okoye led VMI with 18 points and seven rebounds.

A steal by Mathiang Muo would lead to a lay up by Kelvin Martin to put the Bucs up early at 4-2. Chris Grier would intercept a pass and take it coast to coast to give the Buccaneers the eight point advantage, 10-2 with 15:58 remaining. Mathiang Muo would haul in a full court pass and put it in plus the foul to give CSU the 24-12 lead with 12:35 left in the first. Saah Nimley would drive the lane, look off Sheldon Strickland and drop in a runner with 11:14 remaining to put the Bucs up 32-14. Arlon Harper would steal a VMI pass at half court and take it all the way in for a dunk to make the Buc advantage 18 at 40-22 with 8:10 left in the first half. A towering dunk by Martin at the 5:38 mark would keep CSU up 18 at 48-30. Jordan Weethee would hit a three to bring the Keydets within single digits 53-45 with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Michael Sparks would hit a last second three to bring VMI within striking distance at 58-50 going into the locker room. CSU outshot VMI from the field (65%-45%), three point line (57%-36%) and the foul line (86%-64%). The Bucs dominated in the paint and on the break scoring 40 and 16, respectively in the first half. For CSU, Harper had 16 first half points to go along with five assists and Muo grabbed a team high six rebounds. The Keydets were led by Stan Okoye's 11 points and four rebounds. CSU held the largest lead of the half at 19.

CSU would score seven unanswered to jump out to a 66-52 lead to start the second half. A spot up three from Nimley would make it 73-58 CSU with 16:22 remaining. Nimley would then sink four baskets in a row to extend the CSU lead to 24 at 89-65 with 11:36 remaining. A triple from Grier at 7:28 would put the Buccaneers over the century mark and give CSU the 100-71 lead. Nimley would sink two free throws to lengthen the CSU lead 109-75 with 4:24 left in regulation. A three by Mitchell Deter would cap off the game for the Buccaneers, with CSU getting the 114-81 victory.

CSU moves to 5-2 on the season, and to the top of the Big South Conference at 2-0. The Buccaneers with be in action again on Dec. 5 taking on Florida State in Tallahassee at 7 p.m.